Weekly Stone Fruits Market Updates
As we approach the end of the stone fruit season, the availability of Mediterranean fruits is decreasing. Pricing remains relatively stable without significant changes. Insights from our expert team, along with transaction data from Wikifarmer have highlighted market trends. Furthermore, reliable data has been gathered from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network.
The current report of central European markets for apricots highlights that the leading suppliers were Spain, Turkey, and France, with additional contributions from Italy and German sources. Minor contributions came from Greece, Moldova, Poland, and Hungary. In Southern Germany, the market saw good reception for high-quality southwestern German and French apricots despite the presence of softer southern European varieties, with Frankfurt showing higher prices for Italian imports. Turkish Sekerpare apricots were in demand and maintained last week's prices. There is a range of prices, with the lowest being observed for products of Mediterranean origin.
For cherries, German and Turkish varieties dominated, with reduced volumes from Spain and Greece. Some cherries from Poland, Slovakia, and Belgium were also present. Turkish Napoleon cherries remained price-stable but were impacted by bad weather, reducing their availability. Cherries of German origin, particularly the Kordia variety, took precedence in the market. Prices for more giant cherries ranged from €6.50 to €8 per kilogram, but smaller or less flavorful cherries saw significant price drops due to lower demand.
As of July 1, 2024, cherry production in France was estimated at 33,400 tonnes, nearly matching the previous year's level and 9% higher than the five-year average, despite regional weather-related challenges. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, adverse spring weather led to an 8% decrease in production from last year, though it remains 19% above the five-year average. Occitanie experienced excess water in June, resulting in some losses but still achieving a 5% increase over the previous year. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes saw hail and drosophila damage in June but ended with a 5% production increase due to resilient late varieties. June cherry prices were 7% lower year-on-year but remained 17% above the five-year average, with improved fruit firmness and satisfactory sizes. Spanish cherry volumes in June doubled from the previous year, significantly exceeding the five-year campaign average.
Regarding peaches and nectarines, the peak season for Mediterranean products has passed, with Spanish supplies leading over Italian ones and supplemented by French arrivals. In Munich, Turkish peaches were available, while Berlin and Frankfurt had domestic options. Some Spanish peaches had quality issues, affecting their prices, but overall, price changes were limited due to strong demand driven by warm temperatures. In Frankfurt, domestic yellow peaches were priced at €3.20 to €3.50 per kilogram and white peaches at €4.50 per kilogram for size A, with the new "Lola" peach priced at €2 per kilogram for size B.
Despite decreased cherry volumes, prices are lower than expected this season. Storms, wet weather, and overcast days have led to quality problems and lower-than-anticipated harvests for Belgian cherries, particularly up to the Kordia variety. Despite lower production, prices have not increased, failing to compensate for the reduced yield. The Regina variety shows better quality, but it may not salvage the season.
Future concerns loom for cherry growers due to tightening regulations and insufficient resources to achieve a normal harvest. The situation is similar for pear growers. There is a decline in new acreage and demand for cherry plots, indicating potential danger for the future of Belgian cherry growing. A need for better alternatives or extensions of current resources is emphasized to maintain profitable cultivation.
The Spanish stone fruit campaign has reached its midpoint, revealing that this year's season hasn't matched the previous year's performance, but recovery is expected in the coming weeks. Spain's overall production remains similar to last year's, with apricots showing above-average increases and plums experiencing a decline due to reduced acreage. Some extreme weather events, like a rain and hail storm in Murcia, impacted significant areas and reduced yields.
In the first half of the season, fruit sizes were generally smaller than last year, leading to lower prices for peaches, flat peaches, nectarines, and apricots. Despite lower prices, increased apricot productivity is expected to balance out the losses.
As the campaign shifts to the Ebro Valley, Aragon, and Catalonia, recent hailstorms have affected key fruit-growing areas, but this is likely to improve stone fruit prices due to reduced supply. The ongoing heat wave is expected to boost demand, creating favorable conditions for a successful second half of the stone fruit season.